EOTO Freedom Rides

In 1947 and 1961, there were groups of white and black civil rights activists who took part in freedom rides. The Freedom rides were bus rides throughout the American south in 1961 to protest segregated bus terminals.

The Civil rights activists tested the Supreme Court's decision.

The freedom rides were organized by the Congress of Racial Equality otherwise known as CORE. In 1947 there was an action in which African American and white bus riders tested the 1946 Supreme Court decision in Morgan V. Virginia. This case found that segregated bus seating was unconstitutional.

1961 freedom rides tested the 1960 decision by the Supreme Court in the case Boynton V. Virginia that segregation of interstate transportation facilities was unconstitutional as well.

The 1947 and 1961 action were different because women were included in the 1961 freedom rides. In both actions black riders traveled to the south and used restrooms, waiting rooms, and lunch counters that were for whites-only.

The group traveled throughout North Carolina and Virginia with very little public notice.

The first violent incident was on May 12th in South Carolina. African Americans were attacked for an attempted entrance into a whites-only waiting area.

On May 14th, 1961 the bus arrived in Anniston, Alabama and there was an angry mob of about 200 white people surrounding the bus. The bus tires blew out and someone threw a bomb onto the bus. The freedom riders escaped as the bus went into flames, but were beaten by the mob. The second bus went through Birmingham, Alabama and those riders were beaten by a mob as well.

Photographs of the bloody riders and burnt buses appeared on newspapers throughout the country. This drew international attention to the cause and the state of race relations in the U.S. The rides stopped but then resumed again under police escort on May 20th and protection was provided.

On May 24th, 1961, Freedom riders went to Jackson, Mississippi and there were several hundred supporters. U.S. Attorney General Kennedy urged a “cooling off” period in the face of growing violence. Violence and arrests continued to shed light on this cause.

Remembering The 'Freedom Riders,' 50 Years Later : NPRThe rides continued for the next several months. In the fall of 1961, the interstate commerce commission issued regulations prohibiting segregation in interstate transit terminals.



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